With a win over Austria tonight, the Dutch national team is certain of a place in the eighth finals of the European Championship. It is still completely unclear who will meet national coach Frank de Boer’s team in the next round. With an eye on the possible opponents in the next one, a first place in the group probably works out well. When the the Dutch finishes second, there is a good chance that the Netherlands will encounter a very tough opponent on the way to the quarterfinals.
In the run-up to the European Championship, Frank de Boer predicted a 3-1 victory over Ukraine and a 2-1 victory over Austria. “Then we are already qualified for the next round, I think,” said the national coach on the YouTube channel of Our the Dutch in conversation with Soufiane Touzani. “And then lose the third game against North Macedonia?” Touzani replied. “No, we won it 3-0. But maybe we should lose that game, you don’t know. The chance is that, if we are placed first, we will face the group of Portugal, France and Germany. So you can get the third in the group and that is a top country. So maybe it would be wiser to come second,” said De Boer.
In the run-up to the European Championship, De Boer indicated that he and his technical staff are based on five scenarios. “Of course first and second in the group, if you are third in the group you have three other scenarios.” The winner of the group of the Netherlands will be paired in the eighth final with a number three from Group D (England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic), Group E (Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia) or F (Hungary, Portugal, France, Germany). The number two of Group C plays against the number one of Group A (Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland). When the Dutch finishes third and belongs to the best numbers three, it will meet the winner of Group E in the eighth final.
Italy in second place
With a second place, the the Dutch will in all likelihood be linked to Italy, one of the top favorites for the overall victory of the European Championship. Roberto Mancini’s team has made a strong impression so far. In the opening game, Turkey was defeated 3-0 and Switzerland was settled with the same figures on Tuesday evening. The Italians are the first country to qualify for the next round and do so as group winners when there is at least a draw against Wales. A possible eighth final against Italy will be played at Wembley on June 26 at 9 p.m.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 1 |
| 4 | Turkey | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Lots of options at third place
If the Dutch closes Group C as group winner, it will meet a best number three from Group D, E or F. In the most unfavorable case, the the Dutch will then be paired with Germany, France or Portugal. Assuming England live up to their favorites role and win Group D, Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic are possible opponents. Also, the best number three could come from Group E, where Slovakia currently leads the way after the 2-1 win over Poland. Spain and Sweden drew the first game (0-0).
If the the Dutch becomes the group winner and survives the eighth final, it will play in the quarterfinals in Baku against the winner of the eighth final, which will be played on June 26 at 6 p.m. in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. That game is between the numbers two of Group A (Italy, Wales, Switzerland, Turkey) and B (Belgium, Russia, Finland, Denmark). In addition, the first place in the group has an additional advantage. The schedule offers more rest days, while the eighth final is then played in Budapest. No fewer than 67,000 spectators are allowed in the Puskás Arena.
Possibly Belgium
The route to the final is tougher on paper with a second place in the group. If the the Dutch were to deal with Italy (or Wales or Switzerland), the quarter-final confrontation with the winner of the eighth final between the winner of Group B (Belgium, Russia, Finland, Denmark) and the best number three in Group A (Italy, Wales, Switzerland, Turkey), D (Czech Republic, England, Croatia, Scotland) E (Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Poland) or F (Portugal, France, Germany, Hungary). It is therefore quite possible that Belgium will become the opponent in the quarterfinals via this route.
The the Dutch squad does not seem to be working on the schedule after the group stage. Memphis Depay was asked during a press conference on Wednesday about the possible opponents in the next round. “I personally don’t do the math yet,” the attacker responded. “But it is clear that we want to be first in the group. I think we started well against Ukraine. I think that’s a signal. We’re in good shape.” De Boer thought the same: “First win this match”, he referred to the second group match against Austria, tonight at 9 pm.
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